Billy Marion Huff, age 87, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, passed away on November 9, 2025, surrounded by his wife and the love of his life, Nancy Huff, and their children.
Billy was born in Duke, Oklahoma, on December 22, 1937, to Clarence Walter Huff and Alice Edith Carolina Kleinsorge, the middle child between his older brother, Max, and younger sister, Sheryl, who survives him. He grew up in Duke, Oklahoma, and lived in Webb City, Missouri.
After graduating from Webb City High School, he attended the Missouri School of Mines, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. While attending college, Billy worked for American Airlines as a Radio Operator and then for LORAC as a Station Operator. Following graduation, he began a distinguished and highly accomplished career in the aerospace industry, working initially in Long Island, New York, then Cape Canaveral, Florida, and later establishing his family life and career in Orange County, California.
Throughout his career, Billy made significant contributions to programs and technologies that supported the United States military and advanced navigation systems. His areas of expertise included Inertial Navigation and Navigation Systems, Shipboard Instrumentation and Data Processing Systems Integration, Embedded Microprocessor Design, Underwater Sound Applications, Data Multiplex Systems, and Project & Program Management. He served in many leadership roles, including Capture Team Leader, Aircraft Subsystem Team Lead, Software Integration & Test, Systems Engineer, and Program Manager.
Growing up during the Great Depression and later in southwest Missouri, Billy developed early the resilience, ingenuity, and work ethic that would define his life. A birthday gift in 1953—a crystal radio kit—sparked the passion that would become his lifelong calling. Billy earned his Amateur Radio license while still in his teens, operating a WWII surplus BC-459 transmitter on the 40-meter band. Shortly after, he achieved a commercial Radiotelephone license. His early curiosity for electronics set him on a remarkable career path. In his youth, he and his close friend, Curt Childress, logged countless hours in the air, with Billy navigating while Curt piloted flights across Missouri and Kansas.
Outside of engineering, Billy lived a rich, full life marked by curiosity, passion, and many hobbies. He had a lifelong passion for amateur radio and genealogy, which he shared with his brother, Max; reading; writing his autobiography; and publishing a compilation of letters from W. J. Huff documenting the life of an Army infantry soldier serving between 1862-1865. Genealogy became a lifelong pursuit, inspired by storytelling from beloved relatives including his great-aunt Carrie and other family historians. Billy spent years researching, documenting, and writing about the Huff family history and the places his ancestors lived. He had a gift for writing and enjoyed sharing the stories he uncovered.
Together, Billy and his wife, Nancy, spent many years enjoying Square Dancing and Round Dancing with friends in California. He was also inspired by his father's love of woodworking. His fascination with electronics and technology never faded, and he shared these interests with his children. He stayed sharp and engaged throughout life, following financial news daily and listening to investment commentary, especially Charles Payne on Fox Business.
Billy's greatest source of joy was always family. He married the love of his life, Nancy, in 1962, and they shared 63 wonderful years together. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Huff, and their children, Douglas, Gregory, and Jennifer, and he was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Colin, Christopher, Camille, Ethan, and Evan. Billy's legacy lives on in the stories he preserved, the inspiration drawn from his passions, and the family who loved him dearly.
Billy was born in Duke, Oklahoma, on December 22, 1937, to Clarence Walter Huff and Alice Edith Carolina Kleinsorge, the middle child between his older brother, Max, and younger sister, Sheryl, who survives him. He grew up in Duke, Oklahoma, and lived in Webb City, Missouri.
After graduating from Webb City High School, he attended the Missouri School of Mines, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. While attending college, Billy worked for American Airlines as a Radio Operator and then for LORAC as a Station Operator. Following graduation, he began a distinguished and highly accomplished career in the aerospace industry, working initially in Long Island, New York, then Cape Canaveral, Florida, and later establishing his family life and career in Orange County, California.
Throughout his career, Billy made significant contributions to programs and technologies that supported the United States military and advanced navigation systems. His areas of expertise included Inertial Navigation and Navigation Systems, Shipboard Instrumentation and Data Processing Systems Integration, Embedded Microprocessor Design, Underwater Sound Applications, Data Multiplex Systems, and Project & Program Management. He served in many leadership roles, including Capture Team Leader, Aircraft Subsystem Team Lead, Software Integration & Test, Systems Engineer, and Program Manager.
Growing up during the Great Depression and later in southwest Missouri, Billy developed early the resilience, ingenuity, and work ethic that would define his life. A birthday gift in 1953—a crystal radio kit—sparked the passion that would become his lifelong calling. Billy earned his Amateur Radio license while still in his teens, operating a WWII surplus BC-459 transmitter on the 40-meter band. Shortly after, he achieved a commercial Radiotelephone license. His early curiosity for electronics set him on a remarkable career path. In his youth, he and his close friend, Curt Childress, logged countless hours in the air, with Billy navigating while Curt piloted flights across Missouri and Kansas.
Outside of engineering, Billy lived a rich, full life marked by curiosity, passion, and many hobbies. He had a lifelong passion for amateur radio and genealogy, which he shared with his brother, Max; reading; writing his autobiography; and publishing a compilation of letters from W. J. Huff documenting the life of an Army infantry soldier serving between 1862-1865. Genealogy became a lifelong pursuit, inspired by storytelling from beloved relatives including his great-aunt Carrie and other family historians. Billy spent years researching, documenting, and writing about the Huff family history and the places his ancestors lived. He had a gift for writing and enjoyed sharing the stories he uncovered.
Together, Billy and his wife, Nancy, spent many years enjoying Square Dancing and Round Dancing with friends in California. He was also inspired by his father's love of woodworking. His fascination with electronics and technology never faded, and he shared these interests with his children. He stayed sharp and engaged throughout life, following financial news daily and listening to investment commentary, especially Charles Payne on Fox Business.
Billy's greatest source of joy was always family. He married the love of his life, Nancy, in 1962, and they shared 63 wonderful years together. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Huff, and their children, Douglas, Gregory, and Jennifer, and he was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Colin, Christopher, Camille, Ethan, and Evan. Billy's legacy lives on in the stories he preserved, the inspiration drawn from his passions, and the family who loved him dearly.
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